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Mental Health Program Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$26.07 - $35.72/hr

Provides direct and indirect patient care services under direction and supervision of identified program Mental Health Professionals and Program Manager/Supervisor. Utilizes patient/family needs to ...

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Mental Health Program Manager information

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$42.5K

$93.6K

$157K

How much do mental health program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for mental health program manager in the United States is $93,589.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,000.00 and $110,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Mental Health Program Manager vs Mental Health Counselor?

AspectMental Health Program ManagerMental Health Counselor
CredentialsMaster's degree in psychology, social work, or related field; often requires program management experienceMaster's degree in counseling, psychology, or social work; licensure required
Work EnvironmentAdministrative settings, clinics, community programsPrivate practice, clinics, hospitals, community agencies
Employer & IndustryHealthcare organizations, government agencies, nonprofitsHospitals, mental health clinics, private practices
Primary FocusOverseeing mental health programs, managing staff, ensuring complianceProviding direct therapy and counseling services to clients

The main difference is that Mental Health Program Managers focus on overseeing and managing mental health programs, while Mental Health Counselors provide direct client therapy. Both roles require relevant advanced degrees and licensure, but their daily responsibilities and work environments differ significantly.

What Does a Mental Health Program Manager Do?

A mental health program manager works in a mental health clinic, hospital, or another healthcare facility. As a mental health program manager, you oversee all aspects of the program. Your responsibilities include managing responses to patient behavior and providing support to mental health workers. Other duties involve ensuring program progress through consistent care as developed by you and other senior mental health staff. You work collaboratively with staff and use your superior communication skills to ensure the safety of staff and the patients. Privacy is a chief concern, and you work to develop policies to safeguard patient and family confidentiality.

What are some common challenges faced by Mental Health Program Managers, and how can they be effectively addressed?

Mental Health Program Managers often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative responsibilities with direct program oversight, addressing limited resources, and ensuring staff wellbeing while meeting client needs. Effective strategies include fostering open communication within the team, prioritizing workload management, and seeking out partnerships or grants to supplement funding. Regular training and support for staff can also help maintain high-quality care and reduce burnout, making the work environment more sustainable and collaborative.

What does a Mental Health Program Manager do?

A Mental Health Program Manager oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of mental health services and programs within an organization or community. They are responsible for managing staff, budgets, and resources, as well as ensuring that programs meet the needs of clients and comply with relevant regulations. This role often involves coordinating with other healthcare providers, monitoring program outcomes, and making improvements based on data and feedback. Mental Health Program Managers play a crucial part in expanding access to quality mental health care and promoting positive outcomes for individuals and communities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Mental Health Program Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mental Health Program Manager, you typically need a background in psychology, social work, or a related field, along with program management experience and relevant licensure or certification. Familiarity with case management software, electronic health records (EHRs), and data reporting tools is important for effective program oversight. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills enable you to manage teams and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills ensure the delivery of high-quality mental health services, efficient program operations, and positive outcomes for clients.
What cities are hiring for Mental Health Program Manager jobs? Cities with the most Mental Health Program Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Mental Health Program jobs? The most popular types of Mental Health Program jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Mental Health Program Manager jobs? The top employers for Mental Health Program Manager jobs are:
What states have the most Mental Health Program Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Mental Health Program Manager jobs include:
Infographic showing various Mental Health Program Manager job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,589 per year, or $45 per hour.
Program Manager - forensic mental health

Program Manager - forensic mental health

Liberty Healthcare Corporation

Santee, CA

$125K - $140K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

LCSWs, LMFTs, and LPCCs are encouraged to consider a full-time Program Manager position with Liberty Healthcare’s forensic mental health program in San Diego County.

Services and locations

This program exclusively serves justice-involved adults who are experiencing mental illness and have been determined to be incompetent to stand trial.

The goal of this program is to provide rapid mental health services to people in need so they may achieve improved behavioral health outcomes as quickly as possible.

Liberty Healthcare’s services are provided to inmate clients primarily at these jail facilities:

  • Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee, CA
  • Rock Mountain and George Bailey Detention Facilities in South San Diego near Otay Mesa, CA

Responsibilities

As Liberty Healthcare’s Program Manager, you will enjoy a mix of leadership and clinical responsibilities, including:

  • Leading an outcomes-focused forensic mental health delivery system
  • Ensuring clients receive person-centered care and high-quality mental health services
  • Supervising, training, and managing clinical and ancillary staff across multiple locations
  • Promoting a high-performance culture and overseeing quality assurance initiatives
  • Fostering collaborative relationships with a wide array of stakeholders
  • Providing direct clinical services to clients

Work schedule

The work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm with availability for occasional after-hours phone consultation.

Approximately 40% of your time will be spent onsite at the Santee location and 60% onsite at the jails located near Otay Mesa.

Salary and benefits

  • Starting salary between $125,000 and $140,000 (depending on qualifications)
  • Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance
  • 30 days of paid time off each year for holidays, vacation, sick leave, and personal days
  • FSA, 401k plan, and other perks

Full details on Liberty's benefits plan are available at www.libertyhealthcare.com/upload/143.pdf